Big changes in Big D could lead Stars back to the postseason

Glenn James/NHLI/Getty ImagesIf Dallas is going to go back to the playoffs, Jamie Benn is going to be a big part of it.

Using the VUKOTA projection system of Hockey Prospectus, Insider is taking the temperature of key players on every NHL team, continuing with the Dallas Stars. For a detailed explanation of Prospectus' proprietary GVT value metric, read more here.

Note: Because of the lockout, GVT scores for the 2013 season are prorated from 48 to 82 games.

Summer Skate: Dallas Stars

Forget whatever you know about the Dallas Stars, because this is a whole new team. More than half of last season's opening night roster is gone, including Loui Eriksson, Jaromir Jagr, Michael Ryder, Derek Roy, Brenden Morrow, Eric Nystrom, and many more. Even GM Joe Nieuwendyk, coach Glen Gulutzan and his entire coaching staff are gone, replaced with Jim Nill and former Sabres bench boss Lindy Ruff.

But with all those losses, the team did make some additions -- including Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley, who came over from the Bruins via trade this offseason. Expectations for this new team are hard to set, and may very well boil down to how quickly these new combinations can jell.

Corey Pronman is ESPN's NHL Draft and Prospects analyst. He provides analysis on the top draft-eligible players, prospects drafted by NHL teams and all other relevant prospect information. He lives in New York.